Cats in Africa. Which One are You?

Yes, I’m back from Africa. A fact that hit home today as I cried big, choking sobs onto my consorts shoulder. Without elephants pulling up papyrus outside my tent or an afternoon to spend looking for giraffe camouflaged amongst trees, I focus on what’s right in front of me. I’ll just say that organizing and unpacking is less thrilling than finding zebras or hearing hippos call. Much, much less.

The good news for you readers is I returned full of stories and videos! I’ll start with the most popular of creatures – the big cats.

Each of the big cats in Africa – the lion, cheetah and leopard is remarkably different in behavior and hunting success.

Which one are you?

The lion is quite a social creature. Lions live in groups, the females work together to raise young, which are birthed simultaneously, and to hunt. Lions hunt together, but are not coordinated hunters. They mostly hunt at night and sport a hunt success rate of 20-30%.

The cheetah, of course, is known as the fastest cat. In the next video, notice the particularly fluffy end of the tail. That acts like a spoiler on race cars, allowing the cheetah to make sharp turns at high speeds. Yet, for all that speed its success rate is about the same as the lions. Speed doesn’t add additional advantage. Cheetahs can be chased away from a kill by larger cats.

And the leopard. Larger than a cheetah, more clever than a lion. The leopard lives a solitary life. Its kill rate is about 50%, making it the most successful hunter of the large cats. It’s secret? Stealth and strength. It approaches undetected and uses powerful jaws and claws to subdue. Dragging kill into the trees, away from thieving lions and hyenas, is another advantage.

Which style do those you work with adopt – aggression like the lion, speed like the cheetah or stealth and isolation like the leopard? What are the differences between their style and yours? How does that impact your ability to succeed?

Interested in cheetahs, leopards and lions? The Cheetah Conservation Fund and Amani Lodge work with cats and rehabilitate them into the wild.

Stay tuned for more on the lion, leadership, the wisdom of elephants, and prosperity!